Chapter Text
Park Chanyeol, tall, lean, mean and handsome at 18 years of age is the star basketball player of his high school. He belongs to a wealthy family. His father owns a chain of electronic appliances shops while his mother is a homemaker. Being the only son, Chanyeol is thoroughly spoilt. He is not only good in sports but academics as well. His dream is to become NBA player. His basketball coach and team are proud of him. Chanyeol’s father wants him to become an engineer though.
“Why can’t you prepare for the entrance test? You know I have always wanted you to take over the business. If you become an engineer it will be easier.” says Mr. Park.
“But Dad, I want to play basketball at National level. Coach Siwon thinks I can easily make it to NBA” Chanyeol protests. His father disagrees.
Chanyeol is charmer. Every student he comes across becomes his ardent fan after five minutes of knowing him. He had many love interests but one person stuck with him for quite a while. Kim Jongin. Chanyeol’s love and life. Kim Jongin is the school’s heartthrob. He is also tall, dark and handsome. There is not a single soul who is not in love with him. Jongin is sweet, adorable and pleasant in nature. At their first meeting itself, Chanyeol fell madly in love with Jongin and immediately asked him to be his boyfriend but Jongin refused. Jongin felt Chanyeol was loud and boisterous. Chanyeol never gave up till Jongin finally gave in. They were a match made in heaven. Jongin was a ballet dancer. He loved to dance. He dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He wanted to perform in theater. Jongin’s father had passed away when he was 12 years. He was brought up by his mother who had a small restaurant. Jongin was a brilliant and hardworking student.
Chanyeol and Jongin dated for a year. They used to hangout with mostly Chanyeol’s basketball team, especially his best friend Minho. Often Minho’s boyfriend Taemin used to join them. The four of them partied a lot. After one such party, Chanyeol woke up the next day with no recollection of the night before. That day, he swore he would never drink again. Jongin and he stopped partying too. Few months later, Chanyeol had a crucial basketball game held after school. Everyone close to him knew that winning this match could either make or break his college scholarship. Chanyeol’s coach Siwon was expecting three scouts from prominent universities in the crowd.
“Just relax and play well. You are a natural. Concentrate on the game and nothing else. They know your game. They just want to see you play.” Siwon reassures Chanyeol.
“I know Coach. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You will never Chanyeol. Good luck tomorrow.”
The next day:
Chanyeol and his team finish with warm ups and are getting ready for the match. Chanyeol is nervous because of the pressure of facing not one but three national level players who are university coaches as well. He was also worried because Jongin hadn’t picked up his phone nor replied to his text messages last night. In fact, Jongin was missing from school for the last two days. Chanyeol tried asking his friend Kyungsoo but even he had no clue. Chanyeol is slightly distracted. Minho tries to calm him.
“Hey don’t worry. Jongin must have gone to visit his grandma. You know she has been sick for the last three months.” Minho reminds him.
“Yes but he would always tell me before hand. And he has never been the one to switch off his phone. It’s been 2 days.”
“What about his mother? Did you try to call her?”
“No. You know that he hasn’t told her that he is dating. So how can I ask her?” replies Chanyeol.
“You could always say you are his classmate.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea especially when Jongin was particular about not telling her about us.”
Chanyeol was looking at the clock when he sees Jongin entering the stands. He looked nervous. Chanyeol waves at him. Jongin smiles nervously and waves at him. He then finds a place to sit in the last row. Chanyeol starts moving towards him when Coach Siwon calls out his name. Chanyeol says he will be back in 2 minutes and rushes to Jongin.
“Hey Jongin, What happened to you? Your phone was switched off and you disappeared for 2 days.”
Jongin’s body language spoke of seriousness and nerves. He bit his lower lip. Chanyeol knew that tiny action meant that something was seriously wrong. He puts his hand on Jongin’s shoulder and rubs it gently.
“What’s wrong? Tell me.” He asks softly.
“Nothing. We will talk after your game.” Jongin’s voice is soft almost like a whisper but Chanyeol heard him.
“Tell me sweetheart. I know you. This is serious.”
At that Jongin’s eyes start welling up. Chanyeol is worried.
“Sweets, Tell me. Why are you crying?”
“I am pregnant. Remember that night?” Jongin tearfully looks into his eyes.
Chanyeol feels dizzy. Pregnant. Jongin is pregnant. With his child. I’ll be damned. He thinks to himself. Good lord, how did this happen? They were only 18 years of age. He had to say something because Jongin looks at him expectantly.
“Okay. We will talk about this after the match. Don’t worry. You are not alone. I am with you.” Chanyeol can’t hear himself but he tries to calm Jongin with words and squeezes his shoulders gently. He then runs back to the court with his ears buzzing. He is screwed. Royally. Deeply screwed.
Minho looks at him curiously. “What happened? Did he tell you why he disappeared for 2 days?”
“Yes. It was his grandma. Nothing serious. Let’s play.” Chanyeol tells him. They lose the match. Chanyeol doesn’t even score a single basketball. His team mates are shocked. Minho is shocked. Coach Siwon is furious. He shouts and throws the ball at Chanyeol in their locker room.
“You do know that you will never get this chance ever again in this lifetime.” Siwon screams. Chanyeol is silent with his head down. Coach Siwon walks out of the room.
Chanyeol grabs his bag and goes back to the stand to find Jongin still sitting in the bench. He walks and sits next to him. Jongin looks up at him.
“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have told you. At least not before the match.”
Chanyeol holds his hand. He smiles. “It’s not your fault. My mind wasn’t in the game today. What are you planning to do? About the baby?”
“I don’t know Chan. I am scared.”
“Don’t be. You know what let’s get married. Yes. I am serious. We will raise this baby together. We will figure it out eventually. I am with you.”